Learn About Nursing Schools in Arizona
As you learn about the best nursing programs in Arizona, you may start wondering what it takes to become a successful nursing professional. It all depends on how much previous education you have and how much training you’re willing to go through. From one-year LPN programs to six-year PhD programs, there are options at every level of study. Best Nursing Degree is here to help you explore the options offered at Arizona nursing schools to determine which programs and degrees may fit your needs. To get started with a program today, just use the featured school box below or the quick search “Find Schools Near You” box to get started.
Are you looking for a new career that may provide you with job stability and the freedom to work in a variety of settings? You may wish to become a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in Arizona. Nurses support doctors in many different ways, from signing in patients to gathering patient information and performing simple procedures. A nursing career may be in your future with one of Arizona’s nursing schools.
Arizona Nursing Career and Education Trends
Fifty thousand new Arizona nursing jobs in the next decade. That prediction should convince you it’s a great time to choose nursing as a career in Arizona. By earning your nursing degree, you can become a healthcare professional with the skills to bridge the gap between providers and services across the state.
Which type of nursing degree best fits your schedule and your career goals? If you simply want to get started as quickly as possible, consider completing a licensed practical nurse certification program in Arizona. To become a registered nurse, you need at least an Associate’s degree in nursing. However, if you decide to complete a Bachelor’s degree, you may be able to work in more settings and specialties.
Arizona Nursing College Bridge Programs
If you don’t fit into the traditional student mold, you may be wondering if you’ll be able to become a nurse without repeating courses. Luckily, Arizona schools have many bridge programs that make nursing education more convenient.
Many programs are designed for working nursing professionals. LPN to RN programs are a popular option for licensed practical nurses who want to expand their scope of practice and explore new work opportunities. These bridge programs can often be completed in one year or less. LPN to BSN programs take your education one step further by combining Associate’s-level and Bachelor’s-level coursework.
RN programs are for nurses with an Associate’s degree in nursing. RN to BSN programs typically last 18 to 24 months, and you may be able to finish with an online Arizona nursing degree. RN to MSN programs combine Bachelor’s-level and Master’s-level coursework into one condensed three-year program.
Other bridge options are for students whose first degree is in a field other than nursing. Second-degree BSN programs generally last 12 to 18 months. They use your general education credits to help you finish your BSN as quickly as possible. Accelerated MSN programs get you through general nursing courses quickly before moving you into graduate-level coursework.
Nursing Degree Programs in Arizona
A table is below that displays popular schools in Arizona, and their associated programs and locations.
| School | Programs | Location |
|---|---|---|
| University of Arizona College of Nursing | BSN – PhD, MEPN, various bridge programs, dual degrees, and graduate NP certificates | Tucson |
| ASU College of Nursing and Health Innovation | BSN, MS, PhD, DNP and certificates | Phoenix |
| Glendale Community College | NA, CNA, RN | Glendale |
| Accord Health Institute | CNA, Phlebotomist, EKG (ECG) Technician, Patient Care Technician | Phoenix |
Nursing Education & Career Information in your City
Tips for Choosing the Top Nursing Schools in Arizona
Making a list of the best nursing schools in Arizona may help you focus your application efforts and write more targeted admissions essays. You should know exactly which degree you’d like to earn, so limit your list of schools to those that offer your degree of choice. From there, you can use different criteria to decide on a nursing degree in Arizona.
Attending one of the accredited nursing schools in Arizona should be a priority for you. Unaccredited programs may offer high-quality education. However, since they haven’t been vetted by a national accrediting agency, there’s simply no way to know. A degree from an accredited school streamlines the licensure process and ensures that you get the training you need to take the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN. The two largest accrediting agencies in the United States are the CCNE and ACEN.
You should also think about what type of environment you learn best in. Each school has a slightly different culture and atmosphere. Keeping your personal needs in mind may help you choose the best school for you. To assess schools in this way, you need to visit them in person. You may see how individual professors teach, what technology students use in the lab, and what additional resources are available for students.
Arizona Nursing School Scholarship Information
Entering a high-demand field like nursing may give you the chance to apply for various scholarships and grants that are offered by organizations throughout Arizona:
- Consider consulting the Arizona Community Foundation, which awards scholarships like the Barbara Shay Memorial Nursing Scholarship and the Helene Thomas Bennett Health Career Scholarship.
- Joining the Arizona Nurses Association may allow you to apply for their range of financial aid opportunities.
- AANA members who meet additional requirements may apply for the organization’s nurse anesthesia program scholarships.
2017 Career Outlook for Nursing Professions
No matter how long it’s been since you’ve attended school or how long you’ve put off earning a nursing degree, your passion for nursing can be put to good use. Arizona ranks ninth best state in the country for nurses (Sonoran News, 2017). This ranking is based on starting monthly salary, average annual salary, projected elderly population by 2030, competition, and other factors. As the elderly population grows, the demand for nurses may continue to expand. Becoming an LPN, RN, or NP may put you in a position to provide care to those who desperately need it.
Completing a licensed practical nursing training program permits you to take the NCLEX-PN and apply for licensure. The average salary for an Arizona LPN is $51,670 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). By the year 2024, job openings for LPNs may see an impressive 17% boost (O*Net, 2017).
With the training you get at a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, you may become a registered nurse and apply for positions throughout Arizona. RNs report an average income of $73,430 per year in Arizona (BLS, 2017). Demand for registered nurses may jump 22% by 2024 (O*Net, 2017).
The most impressive job growth statistics are for those who complete their education at Master’s-level nurse practitioner programs. A 35% increase in job openings is expected by the year 2024 (O*Net, 2017). Arizona nurse practitioners earn, on average, $106,770 annually (BLS, 2017).
At top nursing schools in Arizona, you may build a solid foundation of nursing skills. However, you can also learn about the afflictions that are common in your community. This makes you a better healthcare resource for the people you serve and ensures that you have the hands-on experience needed to work independently.
